Electrical connector.



P" T..SNYDER.

EIQECTBIC'AL CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I4. IsIa.

1 ,-260,085. y Patented Mar. I9, 1,918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

` P. T. Smm-2R.

' ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.

AI/PPLICATION FILED DEC. 14. l9l6.

.Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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PABKE '.D. SNYDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICAL CGNNECTOR.

Application filed December 14, 19.16.

To @ZZ 1li/'wm t may concern:

Be it known that l, Panini T. SNYDER a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Connectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical connectors.

Two diifci'ent types of Edi-Swan lamp bases or plugs are in common use, the one utilizing a pair of contacts for two wire systems andthe other a single central contact for adaptation to a single .wire system.

The two systems aroused quite arbitrarily by automobile manufacturers, certain cars having one wire and others two wire systems. As most of the sockets now used are Y constructed, it is possible to use in single contact sockets only standard single contact lamp bases or plugs, and in double contact sockets only double contact lamp bases and plugs. The disadvantages of this lack of interchangeability to both the user and the accessory dealer are obvious.

In my copending application Serial No. 114,880 filed August 14, 1916, for improvements in electrical connectors I have illustrated and described a forni of socket adapted to receive either a single or double contact base. The present application in so far as it relates to certain of the subject matterdisclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 is a continuation of the aforesaid earlier filed application.

One of the objects of my invention herein described iS to simplify and improve the socket described and claimed in the aforesaid application.

Another object of my invention is to provide a socket -with a pair of contacts arranged in position for direct engagement with the contacts of either a standard. single contact base or standard double contact base. A further object of my invention is to generally improve the construction of Edi- Swan type sockets,. increasing their efficiency and adaptability, and alsoproviding an iinproved socket in which either single or double contact bases or plugs may be used interchangeably.

till other and further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the followirg description and drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a diametric sectional view.

through my improved double ended socket.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. tact base.

Patented Mai'. 19., 1918.

Serial No. 136,933.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation. of a single wire plug adapted for insertion in my socket.

Fig. is a diamctiic longitudinal Sectional view of the plug shown in Fig. s.

of the socket '/Fig. 6 is a diaineti'ic longitudinal secy the contacts make electrical connection with the shell of the lamp base, when a single contact base is inserted in the socket, it was found necessary to add an auxiliary connection normally joining one of the contacts with the wall of the socket, this connection being broken when the contact is depressed by engagement with the end of a two contact base. This expedient was found necessary because of the fact that a large portion of the end of a single contact base is overlain by a frustoconical insulator on the end of which is mounted the central single contact. In my former construction the end of one of the contacts (the one to which the auxiliary connector spring is connected) is so positioned that it contacts with the base portion of the insulator on the end of a single con lObviously it would be possible to construct a single contact lamp base with a small insulator so that the engagement of one of the resiliently extended contacts 'with the metallic end ofthe base would not be interfered with. l3nt lamp bases as now supplied by the manufacturers are of. standard design and it is with the intention of providing a socket` adaptable to receive either the standard single contact base or standard double contact base without the addition of auxiliary connections that the present structure was evolved. lf the projecting ends of one of the spring extended connectors of my former device was bentl in its outer position, but might rotate to a vte l eo,

die'rent position radially inwardly and thus engage with the insulator of a single point base rather than with the metallic end portiom surrounding the insulator.

With the above outlined problem before meI have evolved lthe present construction in which both of the contact receiving shells are of the same size, one however being positioned as near the wall o the socket shell as possible and having an eccentricopening in its head through which projects the spring extended plunger contact.

The eccentricity of the opening insures the Y end of the contact always occupying the 'same position and permits it to be placed sufficiently far from the axis of the shell to lprevent interference with the frusto-conical insulator of a standard single contact v base.

Referring more particularly to the exempliication of my invention, which I have illustrated in the drawings,

Figure 1 shows a double ended connector comprising a cylindrical metal shell 10 provided at its .opposite ends with the usual slots 11 for receiving the locking pins of an Edi-Swan base. Midway between the ends of the connector is secured a plug 12 of insulating material in which is mounted the resiliently extended contacts which engage with the contacts of the lamp base. Two diametrically opposite openings extend through the plug 12 to receive the contact shells 13, 14. The shell 14 carries in its opposite end portions the outwardly extending connectors iti- 15, the inner ends of which are enlarged as at 16 for sliding engagement within the shell 14, the ends of which are flanged over as at 17 to provide end abutments for the heads 16. The outer ends of the connectors 15-15 are flattened, as at 18, to provide a relatively wide contact surface extending .trom the region adjacent the axial center of the shell 10 to a region adjacent the inner wall of the shell. coil spring 19 is positioned within thehollow contacts and contact shell so as to resiliently press the contact ends outwardly into position shown in Fig. 1.

The other contact shell 13 is positioned as close to the wall of the socket shell 10 as is possible and still leave a wall of insulating material between the socket shell and the contact shell.- The end portion of shell 13 toward the axis of the socket is flanged over, as at 20, so as to position the end opening outwardly away from the axis of the shell 10 thus Amelting the axis of the contact opening eccentric to the axis of the shell 13. Through these eccentric openlngs s project the contact within the shell 13. A spring 23 lies within members 21, the inner *j ends of which are enlarged, as at 22, to t vio the contacts 21 and shell 13 to resiliently extend the contactsinto the position shown in Fig. 1. i

in Fig. 8 the numeral 50 indicates a lamp bulb-mounted on a single contact Edi-Swan base 51 comprising the cylindrical metalf wall 52 which extends radially inwardly at its lower end forming an annular metal ring.

53. At the center .of the end of the baseA there projects a truste-conicalv insulator 54 on the end of which is positioned the single contact member E 5. The locking pin 56 engages the slot 11 and secures the base in position .within the socket. The single central contact of the lamp base engages the las resiliently extended'contaot 18 of the socket j n ear its inner edge, depressing it to the position shown in Fig. 8. The other resiliently extendedcontact 21 engages the annular ring 53 of the base to which one of the lamp filament leads is connected.

' "hen the socket is used in connection with a two contact base or plug the circuit is made as illustrated in Fig.- 9. 1n this view I have illustrated a lamp bulb 50a-mounted on a double contact Edi-Swan base 51a. The

base comprises the: cylindrical metal wall 52il in the end of which arel provided the diametrically opposite insulated contacts 57 and 58. Contact 57 engages theresiliently extended contact -21 o the socket and contact 58 engages the outer portion of the resiliently extended head 18v onthe contact 15 of the socket. a A In Fig. 6 I have illustrateda single ended socket embodying the same -principle as that illustrated in Fig. 1, the lower end ofthe shell 10b terminatinghcwever, at the en of the insulating plug 12b and' being externally the thr'eaded hood 26 "through the open end 27 ot which extend the terminal wires 28, 29.- The contact members -15 andV 21 are arthreaded-at 25 for engagement with.

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ranged in the same manner as'those illustrated in Fig. 1, being slidable within Shells 13'J and 14h. The lower ends, however, in-

stead oi carrying other contacts are provided with heads 30 and 31 into which lead the connecting wires 29' and 28. Binding c screws 32, 33 extend through openings iny the insulated-plug and take into threaded openings in the heads 30, 31 and-bind the wires 29 and 28 in position. Apertures-34 are provided in the'shell 10b to give access to the heads of the binding screws. The threaded opening 35 in head 30 into which the screw 32 takes extends entirely 'through the same and registers with an opening 36 in the insulating plug which extends to the wall of the shell 10". The .Screw 32 is 'suiiciently 'terminals of a double Contact, hase when used in a single Wire system, in which eventthe single wire 28 is: led into the head 3l of contact v18 and screw 32 is extended through hendBO into engagement With. the

4shell 10", providing a ground return for terminal 21.

In Figs. 4 und 5 l have illustrated e plug` ladapter for connecting a single wire system into either ot' the sockets illustrated in Figs'. 1 and 6. This plug comprises en insulating hase member 4 0 through the axial center of which extends :i rod il having nn opening in its lower end to receive thc single wire 42. The inner end of rod li serves e center contact.. A binding screw i3 takes through a side of the plug into the rod to clump the wire in position. A metallic plate 4.4 is secured by sereni 45 to the end ot the. insulated lease 40 adjacent its periphery and is provided with an outwardly and down wardly extending lip 46 which. projects slightly beyond `the periphery of the bese. When this plug is inserted in a socket, such as .shown in Fig. l, the inner end of the rod vl1 engages terminal whereas the plate ift engages terminal 2i and connects the same With the shell l() through lip 4&6.

TWhereas .l have illustrated and described but two emhodiment; et my invention, it will he obvious to those skilled in the nrt that many 'changes ny he mede therein Without departing; un the spiritnnd scope of the appended c i is.

Having descrilJ my invention, what ll claim is:-

l. n electrical connector lier cooperation with either standard double contact leasej or :1- Standard single contact bese having e centrally disposed insulator projecting troni its end, and a contactl on the top o't Athe insulator; smid connccwr con*l 'singn metallic shell, n n insulating loody therein. e pair of independently resiliently extended contacts carried 'hy the hody., one said .siliently extended Contact extending` 'from n region neer the axis of the shell to :1. re'- gion near the inner well or the shell tor en- ?rcgement with either the center contact, oiu :i single. contact linee or one olf the contacts ot' u double contact huso, the other resiliently extended couts: .t.- heiney positioned diametriczlly opponite the first und relatively close tothe inner Wall oi the shell for engage ment with :i Contact oli n double Contact hns-e,

or a standard single contact base having centrally disposed insulator projecting from its end, a Contact on the top ot the insulator and an annular metal Contact ringl on the end of the base surrouinling the insulator; said connector comprising' a metallic shell, en insulating body therein, a pair ot independently resiliently extended contacts curried loy the body, one ot smid resilicntly extended contacts extending from a region near the axis ol thc Shell to n region near ther inner Wall ot' the shell 'tor engagement with either the central eontnct ot :i single contact base er one otf the. contacts ot a double Contact bese2 the other resiliently extended Contact heiligpositioned diametrically opposite the irst and relatively close to the inner Wall of the .shell tor engagement with e Contact or' :i double Contact hase or with the annuler metal contact ring surrounding the insulutor ot n single contact hase.

3. An electrical connector' -tor cooperation with either e double contact plug,r or a single contactl plug having :t centrally disposed contact with surrounding annular metallic rim insulated therefrom; seid connecter comprising a shell, e body part therein, e pair of independently resiliently extended contacts within the shell, one said Contact overlying the central portieri of the shell and extending` to one side thereof for engagement with either the central contact of a single Contact plug or one of the contacts ot e dousle Contact plug, the other resiliently extended Contact being positioned :it

one side of the axis et the shell .tor engagement with contact oit e double contact plug or with the metallic rim of n single contact *nil oit the shell, the other resiliently eX- tenoel contee-t having` its formed ececntricallw- 'to lic in close proximity to the inner well ci. the shell and means; te pre rotfition ci? the les.; contact. with respect. i the hotly part.

l. An elect ricnl connector lor coperntion with either a douhlo cont :u't liaise, or :i single Contact, hase; said connector comprising'` c shell, n hody part. of insulating material therein. a parir ot independently -resiliently extended contacts curi-lcd hv the body part, one said resiliently.extended contact. havinfr an end portion eiiteulineF from pointsl adjacent 'the axis ot the shell to points ndiecen'. the inner Wall of the. shell, the other itact having c,

resiliently extended contact having its end formed to 'lie at the outer side of its axis of movement and to lie in close proximity to the inner wall of the shell at a point diametrically opposite the other resiliently extended contact.

6. An electrical connector forI coperation with either a single contact, or a double contact base; said connector comprising a metallic shell, an insulating body member within the shell, a pair of contacts carried by the body member, and wire clamping screws associated with each contact, one of said screws being arranged for engagement with its contact alone or with both its contact and the metallic shell.

7. An electrical connector for co eration tact base; said connector comprising a mewithin the ell, a pair of contacts carried by the body member, each said contact having a wire receiving opening ytherein and a threaded opening intersecting the wire receiving opening, and a bindng screw engaging each threaded opening, one saidv screw having a length suiiicient to pass entirely through its contact in the absence of a wire in its wire receiving opening and engage the metallic shell.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PARKE T. SNYDER. 

